Simple Autumn Simmer Pot Recipes for the Kitchen Witch (2024)

There is nothing quite like the scents of Autumn. Am I right? Cinnamon, cloves, bay leaves, pumpkin spice and apple pie. Autumn has, without a doubt, some of my favourite aromas. And nothing creates a warm cozy atmospheremore than having these wafting throughout your home. Enter the simmer pot.

Now while I am a huge fan of scented candles and room sprays (natural ones of course), there is nothing quite like the way aromas created by a simmer pot fill your home.

Simmer pots are an efficient and non-toxic way to have your home smelling like autumn in a few short minutes.

And, added bonus, they also have wonderful magickal properties attached to them.

Read on to discover a few delicious recipes to have your home smelling lovely and your kitchen magick brewing this autumn season.

The Simmer Pot

Simmer pots are like boiled potpourri. Which sounds a bit weird, but it’s an accurate description lol.

You choose your ingredients, put them in a pot with water, bring to a boil and then turn down to a simmer and let it do its thing.

They couldn’t be any easier, just be sure you don’t let your pot boil dry! If you want to keep the pot going simply add more water when it gets low. And obviously never leave your stove on when you aren’t home. Let’s use our common sense here friends.

Simmer pots also lack the harsh toxins that are packed into conventional air freshener sprays and scented candles. Just fresh ingredients from your kitchen! Fake fragrance oils need not apply.

One more benefit, they are economical. Simmer pots are cost effective and can be thrown together with things you likely already have in your kitchen.

Just Say No to Chemicals

So let’s be real, generic scented candles and air fresheners are some pretty serious toxic offenders.

Paraffin candles give off toxic fumes on their own and now lets add mystery ingredient fragrance oils on top of that. Cause you know, they can just say they use ‘fragrance oils’ and be done with it. What exactly is in the ‘fragrance’? We really have no idea.

And air fresheners are a whole other ball game. You are literally just breathing in toxic fumes. That are almost always overpowering enough to have you choking on them. How refreshing! Note the sarcasm there.

My favourite ways to naturally freshen up my space are room sprays (non-toxic that I blend myself), soy essential oil scented candles, using my diffuser, and you guessed it, simmer pots!

There are so many natural ways to have your home smelling divine. You can most definitely skip the artificial stuff.

Simmer Pot Magick

Another great thing about a simmer pot is they can be used to assist in your magickal goals. You just need to choose the right ingredients to fit your agenda.

Items that create those autumn vibes have a wide array of magickal properties attached to them that can be used to your advantage.

When I do a simmer pot with a magickal goal in mind, I follow these simple steps to incorporate my magick and intention into the process:

  1. Fill pot with water about 3/4 full.
  2. Add ingredients to the pot and bring to a boil.
  3. Reduce to a simmer, stir the pot clockwise. Unless you are doing a banishing or releasing spell, in that case stir the pot counter clockwise.
  4. Visualize your desired outcome or goal for the magickal work you are doing. Are you aiming to create happiness in the home, or more money in your wallet? Whatever it may be focus on what you want the outcome to look like. Continue with the visualization and stirring until it feels right to finish. You’ll know when!
  5. You may recite your goal, a chant, or ritual words while you stir as well. Something pertaining to your desired outcome.
  6. When you finish I would let the pot boil down until there is about an inch of water left and then turn it off. Your work is now complete

Note: You may also trace runes or symbols related to your goal in the air above the pot if you feel so inclined. Feel free to be inventive and really personalize the experience!

Simmer Pot Recipes

Apple Pie – for peace, harmony and love

  • 3 apple slices
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 tbsp all spice
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Pumpkin Spice – for prosperity, success, and wealth

  • 1 tsp pumpkin spice
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 tsp cloves
  • 2 orange slices
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

A Taste of Autumn – for protection and releasing negative energies

  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 tbsp whole cloves
  • 2 orange slices
  • 1 lemon slice
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Witch Spice – for balance and inner strength

  • 1 tsp star anise
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 tbsp all spice
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tsp ginger

These amounts are simply guidelines and ratios that I enjoy. Use more or less to suit your own tastes. Be creative and mix things up!

What to do with your simmer pot ingredients when you are finished?

Another awesome thing about simmer pots is that they don’t create waste. You can simply compost your ingredients or dry them out and store in an airtight container to be used in future spells or for potpourri.

A note on using essential oils in your simmer pots.

Many people recommend essential oils as a good ingredient for your simmer pots. I fully have to disagree for a couple of reasons.

Essential oils are expensive and why use Lemon EO when you can use leftover lemon rinds? Or Clove EO when you have the spice sitting in your cupboard?

Another big reason for me is that essential oils are all flammable and have their own flashpoints (point at which the vapours formed can ignite if exposed to spark or flame). This caution is especially true if you have a gas stove.

I simply don’t use them in the kitchen at all when I have the stove on, call me paranoid, which I most definitely can be lol. Some people use them all of the time for their pots and it’s totally fine.

If you do decide to use them just use caution, common sense, and know well the oils you are working with.

But really an unnecessary addition to your simmer pots in my opinion when there are so many whole, natural, and affordable ingredients already in your kitchen.

Final thoughts.

Do you already do simmer pots at home?If so, what is your favourite recipe?

As always, I love to hear from you,so please leave a comment or connect with me on socials.

If you enjoyed this post and for more Autumn inspiration you can check out my newly released Autumn Kitchen Witch Handbook for recipes, rituals, and autumn correspondences. You can find full details HERE.

And you canSUBSCRIBEto The Wholesome Witch Mailing Listto receive a 20% OFF discount code for myAutumn Kitchen Witch Handbook,as well as my full Wholesome Kitchen Clean-up Guide as a thank you!

Until next time friends!

Yours in health and magick,

Krystle xo

Simple Autumn Simmer Pot Recipes for the Kitchen Witch (2024)

FAQs

What items are best for simmer pot? ›

CLASSIC SIMMER POT INGREDIENTS
  • Citrus fruits like orange, lemon, lime.
  • Apples.
  • Cranberries.
  • Cinnamon sticks.
  • Whole cloves.
  • Nutmeg.
  • Rosemary.
  • Pine or other conifers.
Nov 30, 2022

How long does a fall simmer pot last? ›

Your simmering pot should last 24 hours on the stovetop. If you only use peels and spices without fresh food, it can last up to four days! All you have to do is replenish the water about every 30-45 minutes. That way, you'll constantly have the simmering aromatics filling your house with all the scents of fall.

Do simmer pots have health benefits? ›

The ingredients used in simmer pots, like cinnamon, ginger, and citrus fruits, not only emit a comforting fragrance but also bring with them an array of health benefits, such as improved digestion, enhanced immune function, and anti-inflammatory properties.

What does lemon in a simmer pot mean? ›

Lemon: For cleansing, removing blockages and spiritual purification. Rosemary: For purification and removing negativity. Sea Salt: For cleansing and grounding. I add sea salt to all my magickal simmer pots. Vanilla: I added some of my homemade vanilla extract, because vanilla bean is used in restoring lost energy.

How many times can you reuse a simmer pot? ›

Depending on what ingredients you've used in your simmer pot, you can reuse the same one for several days! If you've included fruit in your recipe, then it's best to use that pot for only 1 day.

Can I put essential oils in a simmer pot? ›

A teaspoon of vanilla extract also makes a simmer pot smell divine; or, add a few drops of your favorite therapeutic essential oils to create a custom scent. To start your simmer pot, fill a small pot halfway with water and stir in your spices, herbs, peels, or fruits.

Should you simmer pot open or closed? ›

Simmering and Boiling

In the event that your goal is to keep moisture in—like when your pot of soup, stew, or sauce is already at the right consistency, but you want to keep cooking the vegetables and melding the flavors—leave the lid on to keep any more liquid from evaporating.

Can you leave a simmer pot unattended? ›

Never leave the simmering pot unattended. I always stay in the same room so I can keep an eye on the stove, and can top up the simmer pot with additional water as needed. Don't allow the pan to run dry, and avoid using it when there are kids or pets nearby. Simmer pots are meant to be smelled, not eaten!

Are simmer pots healthier than candles? ›

Simmer pots are far more healthy than burning candles, especially if you stick to only natural and organic ingredients in your simmer pots.

What are the disadvantages of simmering food? ›

While there are heaps of benefits of simmering - unfortunately for someone new to cooking - a simmer can be challenging to maintain and regulate. Simmering also results in your food losing some of its nutrients in the cooking liquid. However, this isn't a problem if you're cooking a stew.

Do you boil simmer pots? ›

Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, give everything a quick stir, and let the potpourri do it's thing! Once the water starts cooking off, just add more and repeat the process. Leave simmering until your house smells so good it makes the neighbors jealous.

Can I use cinnamon powder in a simmer pot? ›

I swear, simmer pots are the BEST air freshener. Better than any spray, oil, or candle I have ever bought. The simplest method, and my go-to, is to grab a small saucepan, fill it with water, and toss in a few cinnamon sticks (or a few vigorous shakes of ground cinnamon).

Do simmer pots make your house smell good? ›

Simmer pots are an easy and natural way to make your house smell amazing with the cozy scents of baking, and humidify dry air in your home. Think of it as a liquid potpourri pot, bubbling away on your stove all day.

Can you use dried rosemary in a simmer pot? ›

Here's how to make and use your simmer pot: Slice a piece of fruit (lemon, orange, apple, pear, whatever you want- you can also use dried fruit and fresh or dried cranberries!) Add some fresh or dried herbs or flowers (rosemary, lavender, rose, bay leaf) Add dried spices such as a cinnamon stick or a teaspoon of cloves.

What foods are best to simmer? ›

You can simmer beef stew, meatballs in sauce, chicken and rice with broth, seafood gumbo and meat stock … just to name a few! Braising, or simmering large cuts of meat in water, beer or wine softens ingredients into a flavorful meal.

Can you put anything in a simmer pot? ›

Typically, anything fragrant or in a scent you like can work well in a simmer pot. The most popular additions to a simmer pot recipe are woodsy things like pine, citrus, cranberries, and whole spices.

What liquid do you put in a simmer pot? ›

A simmer pot is simply a pot, usually a Dutch oven, filled with water and aromatics (like herbs and spices) for the express purpose of making a space smell good. Rather than relying on scented candles, people are turning to natural stovetop potpourri concoctions or simmer pot recipes.

What do you set for simmer? ›

Simmering requires enough liquid to partially or fully submerge any added ingredients, so start the process by filling your saucepan or stockpot with the liquid ingredients dictated by your recipe. Next, set the stovetop to low or medium heat until your dish reaches a simmer.

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